Defence innovation led by Raytheon Australia’s new generation

The six finalists represent teams across engineering, project management, legal and communications delivering real outcomes for Australia’s defence mission. Their abilities highlight the expertise and leadership cultivated at Raytheon Australia, whether it’s leading critical system upgrades, developing cutting-edge software solutions, or ensuring compliance in a complex global trade environment.

Following the awards in Canberra in March, Raytheon Australia congratulates Josh Lee, Matthew Zuill and Tiaan Pretorius, who were awarded inductees in ADM’s 30 Under 30!

Raytheon Australia fielded more finalists in this year’s awards than any other defence company. The finalists – Courtney Battle, Josh Lee, Ben Gardener, Matthew Zuill, Tiaan Pretorius and Eliza Dunn – have each contributed significantly to their respective fields. Their achievements demonstrate the expertise and leadership fostered at Raytheon Australia, impacting various sectors within the company.

“Our young talent are at the forefront of our innovation and success. Their aptitude, dedication and problem-solving capabilities are shaping the future of Australia’s defence industry,” said managing director of Raytheon Australia, Ohad Katz.

A systems engineer with a keen eye for innovation, Battle led the development of an industry best-practice continuous delivery pipeline, streamlining her team’s software development process.

“Stepping into a new domain and learning software fundamentals was a challenge, but one I was excited to take on,” she said.  “The best part has been collaborating with a team that shares a vision for delivering high-quality solutions.”

Raytheon Australia’s leadership continuum cultivates professional development and encourages growth and career advancement, through these programs Battle earned leadership responsibilities, fostered collaboration and delivered efficiency on complex projects, setting a new industry standard.

Lee has been instrumental in delivering an advanced electronic warfare capability for the Royal Australian Navy. When faced with unexpected leadership gaps, he stepped up to ensure continuity and project success.

“Pressure is always high when delivering rapid capability insertions, but the reward in knowing that my work is directly enhancing our Navy’s capability and improving safety for our sailors at sea, is greater,” he said.

His leadership and adaptability have made him a trusted team player in high-stakes projects.

Starting his career in finance before transitioning to project management, Gardener now leads major contract change proposals, ensuring seamless project execution for the Tactical Data Links program.

“I’ve had the chance to work across different areas, from finance to project leadership,” Gardener said. “It’s given me a broader understanding of how we deliver mission-critical capabilities.”

His analytical mindset and strategic approach have played a key role in Raytheon Australia’s success.

Zuill has been instrumental in aligning the fast-moving AIR6500 Tranche 2A program with key system requirements, ensuring program efficiency and stakeholder alignment.

“One of the most challenging aspects has been balancing the rapid pace of Agile Systems Engineering with the structured needs of defence programs,” he said. “By refining processes, we’ve been able to keep things on track while meeting capability goals.”

His proactive problem-solving ensures the program achieves agreed upon goals.

Pretorius plays a critical role in global trade and compliance, ensuring Raytheon Australia’s defence programs operate within complex domestic and international regulations around protecting critical and emerging defence technologies.

“The world is constantly shifting – more so now than ever – and staying informed and compliant with the largest regulatory changes in decades is key,” Pretorius said. “I enjoy working across multiple teams and ensuring compliance in a way that supports operational efficiency.”

His deep understanding of the ITAR and other trade laws, alongside his proactive approach, position himself as an asset to Raytheon Australia.

As a key figure in Raytheon Australia’s brand presence, Dunn is passionate about sharing stories that showcase the skill, passion and authenticity of her workmates.  

"It doesn’t matter how many times you cover a project, there’s always a new story to tell – especially in Defence, and especially when there’s people involved,” Dunn said. “When you meet the faces behind our programs and get to know the experts who have worked on something from start to finish, there’s a million things you want to say. 

“You ask what they’re working on and their eyes light up. It’s about listening to our people and their stories, and then connecting it to our broader mission,” she said.

Her commitment to sharing stories ensures the successes of Raytheon Australia’s workforce are celebrated and remembered. 

These six emerging leaders are redefining innovation and excellence at Raytheon Australia, driving forward new ideas and shaping the future of defence. Their contributions support Australia’s defence mission and develop major defence projects whilst laying the foundation for future advancements – watch this space.

The ADM 30 Under 30 2024 winners were awarded on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at the National Museum, Canberra.

“Raytheon Australia proudly celebrates and wishes every success to its finalists and their remarkable achievements,” Katz said. “Congratulations to Josh Lee, Matthew Zuill and Tiaan Pretorius for being inducted to the ADM’s 30 Under 30, you have gone above and beyond early in your defence industry career, and Raytheon Australia celebrates this commendable achievement.” 

For more on Raytheon Australia’s commitment to fostering young talent, visit www.raytheonaustralia.com.au